Other Stuff

Clarion Events has confirmed that International Caravan and Motorhome 2009, held at the NEC Birmingham, was the busiest ever with 13% more visitors attending the event.

Show director Sam North said that the total number of visitors was over 79,000. "This is a phenomenal year-on-year increase," he said. "And it shows how popular caravans and motorhomes are proving to be."

As well as bumper visitor numbers, exhibitors at the show also reported record sales, claiming it was their best show ever by a distance with sales figures some 10-15% ahead.

Richard White, marketing director, Swift Group announced "all time record sales of £28 million" at the show and similarly, Simon Howard, marketing director, Bailey said "We secured a record-breaking £12 million of retail sales orders for our touring caravan products - which represents the best performance at a single event in the company's sixty year history."

"Motorhome exhibitors also did well, and the smaller accessories and gadgets manufacturers also reported record sales" adds North. Airstream Europe's sales director, Michael Hold said, "We were delighted at the response we received at the show. Our stand was constantly mobbed with genuine prospects, some of whom had travelled specifically to see Airstream from as far afield as Italy, France, Portugal and Norway. The orders taken and leads generated at the show gave us real confidence in the strength of the current market, the quality and uniqueness of our trailers, and the prospects for an even better year in 2010."

Nick Lomas, Director of Marketing for The Caravan Club, said: "The Caravan Club was delighted to offer a whole host of activities and services for show visitors. The temporary campsite was fully booked, as were The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year towing sessions and the motor caravan manoeuvring taster sessions. Club Day was a huge success, Club members and show visitors alike enjoyed the entertainment that was provided by The Club. The Discover Touring feature was a popular attraction for show visitors and offered practical advice to those new to touring."

With such positive feedback, North is confident that next year's show will also be a success. "We get an early indication of how next year will pan out by the number of exhibitors who re-sign for 2010 on site. We saw significant levels of commitment this time around, more than previously."

Clarion also organises the Manchester Central Caravan & Motorhome Show 2010, due to take place from 21-24 January. North said that space at this event "is 90%-plus sold out already, which is way ahead of where we'd expect to be with three months still to go. We're bringing the best of the NEC show to Manchester".